Classroom and Audiovisual Technology Definitions

Assistive Listening

• Refers to technologies or devices designed to help people with hearing impairments to better hear and understand sounds in various environments. These technologies are typically used to amplify sound, reduce background noise, and improve speech clarity for people with hearing loss.

Cameras

• Camera Bar / Polycom

  • A bar-shaped camera with integrated speakers and microphone, usually with a wide angle lens, designed to be mounted to a fixed surface like a wall or display. The camera may have the ability to zoom and track subjects. 

• Fixed Camera

  • A camera mounted to a non-movable surface, (e.g. a wall, display, a desktop) without the capability to change the view without human physical interaction.  The unit may or may not have automatic focus.

• PTZ - Pan, Tilt, Zoom

  • A camera that has full range of motion through the ability to pan left and right, tilt up and down and zoom in on the presenter.

Confidence / Instructor Monitor 

• A monitor located usually on the podium or nearby for a speaker to display notes, powerpoint presentations etc. to view what is being or to be projected on a projector screen or large screen monitor to the classroom. Also may be used with the room’s computer to connect to the web for hybrid events such as a Zoom class.

Content

• When referring to web conferencing:  Content is information such as spreadsheets, powerpoints, documents, and videos that a participant in a Zoom meeting might wish to share in real-time during a Zoom meeting.

Controller

• A device within the room to control the audio video aspects of the space. The device may be a desk or wall mounted button controller, a desk or wall mounted Touch Panel controller, or a wireless Touch Panel controller.

  • Button

    • ​​​​​​​A panel with push buttons that is installed to provide control over the system; turn devices on and off, indicate which device content will be displayed and control volume levels.

  • Touch panel​​​​​​​

    • A touch panel is an electronic display screen that lets users interact with various AV equipment by touching the screen directly and sending any input devices to any output devices. In the classroom, the touch panel is able to send input devices such as a computer, document camera, Apple TV, out to one or more displays such as projectors and/or monitors.  Touch panels may also include audio controls for computer audio and microphones and well as room lighting controls.

Customizations

• Specific room modifications to base room type configurations to meet advanced use cases.

Document Camera

• A type of camera that captures images of printed or three-dimensional materials to connected displays,  in real-time The camera is typically mounted on an adjustable arm and is designed to be placed above a flat surface, such as a desk or table, so that it can capture images of books, documents, photographs, or other materials.  Document cameras are a versatile and useful tool for capturing and displaying physical visual information, and can be an essential component of many modern classrooms and business environments.

Extended Desktop

• The computer desktop is extended across multiple displays. Each extended display has its own unique desktop area (including screen resolution and refresh rate)

Huddle / Conference / Seminar

• Designed for interactive collaboration in small to medium seized spaces without the need for a designated facilitator station for operation, and moderation of the meeting activities.

Idea Board​​​​​​​

• A whiteboard that has been specifically treated to be projected on

Interactive Monitors

• A computer driven monitor/display that allows users to access and manipulate electronic files by means of a touch-enabled LCD display.

Lectern

• A type of furniture used in a public speaking setting. It is a tall and often ornate stand that provides a flat surface at an appropriate height for a speaker to place their notes or other materials while delivering a speech or presentation.  Lecterns can come in various shapes and sizes, but they typically include a wide base for stability, a vertical post or column that supports the lectern's top surface, and a sloping surface or lip that provides a secure place for the speaker to rest their notes or other materials. Many lecterns also include additional features, such as a built-in microphone, reading light, or storage compartments for notes or other presentation materials.

Lecture Classroom

• Small to medium sized space designed for traditional instruction with primary area(s) for control/broadcast of the space.

Microphones

• Wireless Lapel / LAV / Lavalier Microphone

  • A wireless lapel microphone is an easily concealable microphone that has the added benefit of leaving the speaker’s hands free. The speaker will clip a small microphone to their lapel, tie, or collar, and place a small transmitter in their pocket or clip it to their waist.

• Wireless Handheld Microphone

  • Handheld microphone that can operate independently of constraining wires.  

• Earset / Countryman Microphone

  • An over the ear wireless microphone that is close to the presenters mouth.  

• Ceiling Microphones

  • A type of microphone that is designed to hang down from the ceiling to capture the in-room audio during an online event for the online participants, such as a Zoom class.

• Tabletop

  • ​​​​​​​A type of microphone that is designed to be placed on a flat surface, such as a table, desk, or podium. These microphones are typically used in settings such as conference rooms, meeting rooms, lecture halls, and other situations where multiple sitting people need to be heard.

Multi-Displays

• Using multiple monitors or projectors allows the presenter(s) to show different content on each screen, or to mirror the same content on different screens to ease viewing in larger rooms or to compensate for visual obstructions

  • Mirroring display 

    • The ability to display the screen of the host computer/device to one or more monitors. 

  • Multi-Content / Disparate / Discreet (Dynamic) Content

    • The ability to display different content on multiple displays in a single location.  This can be used for side by side comparisons, etc.

Podium

• A convenient position for a reader or speaker in the classroom (usually at the front) at a stand or table used to support an instructor’s laptop or papers etc.

Presentation

• A presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience.  Presentations are typically, demonstrations, introductions, lectures, or speeches meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.

Press Feed

• Typically an XLR connection but can be a box device that allows several audio connections access to the audio feed from a system. 

Remote Participants

• Participants in a web conference that are not in your physical space, participating in the hosted event.

Screencasting

• Screencasting allows wireless streaming of audio, video, and other content and data between devices such as smart displays or wireless speakers, over a local Wi-Fi network without the need for physical cables.  In addition to directly streaming content, screencasting also allows users to mirror their device's screen on a compatible display, which can be useful for presentations.

Stadium / Outdoor Space

• Large venue spaces (typically for sporting, concerts, graduation, etc.) which require highly specialized equipment that may require weatherization, long focal distances, huge displays, etc.

Web Conferencing

• Technology that allows multiple people to participate in a live audio and video meeting over the internet.  Can be used to describe technology in a conference room and to describe remote teaching and learning through video and audio communication.